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Hate Me
"What do you want from me, Il Diavolo? Why am I here?"
DELAINEY
I’ve been kidnapped.
Initials have been branded into my neck.
The initials of an infamous murderer and mafia boss.
He thinks I belong to him.
I’ll do anything to make my escape.
But even if I get out of here,
what kind of life would I go back to?
SEBASTIAN
A man put his hands on something I consider to be mine.
He’ll get what’s coming to him,
But first I have to take care of my princess.
She’s afraid of me.
She wants to run from me.
She won’t get far,
Not with my initials in her skin.
Everyone she comes in contact with will know she belongs to me.
Now if only I could convince her to stay,
Or to at least stop asking me ‘why?’
The truth may be be the last straw- the one that either sends her running from me,
Or to me.
DELAINEY
I’ve been kidnapped.
Initials have been branded into my neck.
The initials of an infamous murderer and mafia boss.
He thinks I belong to him.
I’ll do anything to make my escape.
But even if I get out of here,
what kind of life would I go back to?
SEBASTIAN
A man put his hands on something I consider to be mine.
He’ll get what’s coming to him,
But first I have to take care of my princess.
She’s afraid of me.
She wants to run from me.
She won’t get far,
Not with my initials in her skin.
Everyone she comes in contact with will know she belongs to me.
Now if only I could convince her to stay,
Or to at least stop asking me ‘why?’
The truth may be be the last straw- the one that either sends her running from me,
Or to me.
294 pages, Paperback
Published June 21, 2022
152 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
T. Ralston
22 books22 followersT. is a new author living in Ohio, USA with her husband, son, and three cats. Though T. has just started publishing her work in 2021, she has enjoyed writing her entire life.
In her spare time, T. enjoys reading romance novels, especially those that are taboo and call morals into question.
Connect with T. online
Twitter: @TRalstonBooks
Facebook: T Ralston Books
Instagram: TRalstonBooks
Email: TRalstonBooks@gmail.com
TikTok: @TRalstonBooks
In her spare time, T. enjoys reading romance novels, especially those that are taboo and call morals into question.
Connect with T. online
Twitter: @TRalstonBooks
Facebook: T Ralston Books
Instagram: TRalstonBooks
Email: TRalstonBooks@gmail.com
TikTok: @TRalstonBooks
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 12, 2024
3.75 stars
As far as captive stories go, this one is pretty good. Tue heroine gave me a headache with how she would blow hot and cold constantly. It was beyond being temperamental. I get the anger and upset about the kidnapping, but she would switch gears so fast, it didn't make sense and it made my head spin. Also, the MMC kept referring to the "hundreds" he had killed or taken care of because they may have kind of almost slighted her in some way. I just can't see this girl going through life with hundreds of people she has come in contact with, and not realizing that they were dropping like flies.
As far as captive stories go, this one is pretty good. Tue heroine gave me a headache with how she would blow hot and cold constantly. It was beyond being temperamental. I get the anger and upset about the kidnapping, but she would switch gears so fast, it didn't make sense and it made my head spin. Also, the MMC kept referring to the "hundreds" he had killed or taken care of because they may have kind of almost slighted her in some way. I just can't see this girl going through life with hundreds of people she has come in contact with, and not realizing that they were dropping like flies.
August 1, 2022
I received this book as an ARC. This was a spicy, character driven, enimies to lovers, captive dark mafia romance. If you are looking for a ton of action in the form of battling mafia families, that is not this book. The story focuses on the two main characters and the constant push and pull between them. There was amazing banter, good girl vibes, and lots of spicy fun. Very enjoyable to read. The only complaint I have is that it ended so quickly and I wish there was more to the story
Want to read
October 21, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/21/2022)! 🎁
April 8, 2024
This book wasn’t as good as I expected as it didn’t have much of a thrilling story line but it was a good enough read.
January 18, 2024
Not sure what I expected but I feel let down.
2.5 stars. It was okay, feels like a super rushed storyline that felt very Stockholm syndrome. I couldn't really connect to the characters but the fmc was actually pretty annoying. Tried way too hard to make her likeable and feisty when it really came off more as a toddler tantrum constantly.
And did the fact she's branded just get forgotten? And of all places...her neck? That detail felt half-assed added and then forgotten.
And the storyline honestly felt dull and uninteresting compared to the background.
2.5 stars. It was okay, feels like a super rushed storyline that felt very Stockholm syndrome. I couldn't really connect to the characters but the fmc was actually pretty annoying. Tried way too hard to make her likeable and feisty when it really came off more as a toddler tantrum constantly.
And did the fact she's branded just get forgotten? And of all places...her neck? That detail felt half-assed added and then forgotten.
And the storyline honestly felt dull and uninteresting compared to the background.
January 26, 2023
almost something great
Let me start off by saying there are a lot of spelling/ grammar issues. At first it didn’t bother me,but the more I read the more it became obvious that the story had not been edited.
It had potential to be a great story, however the story just kind of ended weirdly and I spend most of the book guessing how old these characters were because the behavior didn’t always match what I was thinking.
(Heroine is 25, Hero is 27)
The reason this lack of information bothered me is due to the fact it’s stated repeatedly that he stalked her for 10 years since she was 15, and that he had one of his capo’s sons watch out for her at school….
I thought he was much older, but by the time you find out how they met and his age is disclosed…. It creates a disconnect of what you had been thinking throughout the story.
Despite all this it was still an enjoyable read.
Let me start off by saying there are a lot of spelling/ grammar issues. At first it didn’t bother me,but the more I read the more it became obvious that the story had not been edited.
It had potential to be a great story, however the story just kind of ended weirdly and I spend most of the book guessing how old these characters were because the behavior didn’t always match what I was thinking.
(Heroine is 25, Hero is 27)
The reason this lack of information bothered me is due to the fact it’s stated repeatedly that he stalked her for 10 years since she was 15, and that he had one of his capo’s sons watch out for her at school….
I thought he was much older, but by the time you find out how they met and his age is disclosed…. It creates a disconnect of what you had been thinking throughout the story.
Despite all this it was still an enjoyable read.
January 14, 2023
Book Info:
Standalone 🥇, HEA 🥰
First Person Narrative Dual POV👩❤️👨
Sub-Genre: Er0tic Romance💓, D@rk Romance🖤
Trope: F0rced Relationship🗝️, Instalove/Instaobse$$ion🤩
Category: BD$M🪢, M@fia🕴️, St@lker🔎, Antihero/heroine, C@ptive🔐, Italian🇮🇹, OTT Je@lous/Po$$essive Hero❤️🔥
Burn Rate: Medium burn🔥
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
D@rkness Rating: 🖤🖤
Review:
So, I did like this book. I read it all the way through, so it maintained my interest. The best part was Bash's character. He was awesome. OTT in all the ways I love and a vulnerability that was so intriguing.
Bash is a powerful and ruthless man. He doesn't care for many and has the composure of a wall for the most part. His princess is the only person he really cares for. The only person he has a soft spot for. This means she is also, the only person who can truly hurt him. His new vulnerability makes for excellent reading.
Where the story lacked for me was it felt anticlimactic. I felt like there needed to be more of something. More Bash for sure and more outside conflict. The main conflict is between the main characters and problems they cause themselves. I would have loved seeing outside influences as well. One character was introduced as a frenemy to Bash, but nothing came of it. I would have loved more danger for the FMC so we could watch Bash burn the world.
All this said, I did enjoy the book so I will read the author again. I would recommend it as a lighter dark read in my opinion. Also, the smut scenes are FIRE!!
K!inks and Tr!ggers:
D*b-C0n, Sp@nking👋🏻, Hair Pulling, S3xual A$$ault, Praise🗣️, D!rty Talk🎙️, Dr*gging💉, Kidn@pping, F0rced Org@sms, OM Drama💔, An@l Play🍑, An@l S3x🍑🍆, Disc!pline, Toy Use🪀, F0rced Br@nding, Edg!ng, Bond@ge⛓️, Imp@ct Play, D0m/S*b, G@gging, Past R@pe (Not Main Couple), F0rced Relocation/Cohabitation, Facef*cking😵, Vi0lence, Overprotective Hero, Is0lation😔, Ripping Clothes🩲
Standalone 🥇, HEA 🥰
First Person Narrative Dual POV👩❤️👨
Sub-Genre: Er0tic Romance💓, D@rk Romance🖤
Trope: F0rced Relationship🗝️, Instalove/Instaobse$$ion🤩
Category: BD$M🪢, M@fia🕴️, St@lker🔎, Antihero/heroine, C@ptive🔐, Italian🇮🇹, OTT Je@lous/Po$$essive Hero❤️🔥
Burn Rate: Medium burn🔥
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
D@rkness Rating: 🖤🖤
Review:
So, I did like this book. I read it all the way through, so it maintained my interest. The best part was Bash's character. He was awesome. OTT in all the ways I love and a vulnerability that was so intriguing.
Bash is a powerful and ruthless man. He doesn't care for many and has the composure of a wall for the most part. His princess is the only person he really cares for. The only person he has a soft spot for. This means she is also, the only person who can truly hurt him. His new vulnerability makes for excellent reading.
Where the story lacked for me was it felt anticlimactic. I felt like there needed to be more of something. More Bash for sure and more outside conflict. The main conflict is between the main characters and problems they cause themselves. I would have loved seeing outside influences as well. One character was introduced as a frenemy to Bash, but nothing came of it. I would have loved more danger for the FMC so we could watch Bash burn the world.
All this said, I did enjoy the book so I will read the author again. I would recommend it as a lighter dark read in my opinion. Also, the smut scenes are FIRE!!
K!inks and Tr!ggers:
D*b-C0n, Sp@nking👋🏻, Hair Pulling, S3xual A$$ault, Praise🗣️, D!rty Talk🎙️, Dr*gging💉, Kidn@pping, F0rced Org@sms, OM Drama💔, An@l Play🍑, An@l S3x🍑🍆, Disc!pline, Toy Use🪀, F0rced Br@nding, Edg!ng, Bond@ge⛓️, Imp@ct Play, D0m/S*b, G@gging, Past R@pe (Not Main Couple), F0rced Relocation/Cohabitation, Facef*cking😵, Vi0lence, Overprotective Hero, Is0lation😔, Ripping Clothes🩲
August 11, 2025
I have absolutely no words. No words. Because, what the what?
Okay. Here’s my two cents. Imma be sincere, the first 60% was great, it was alright, then, that last 40%, mmmmmmmm, well. Not really what I was expecting.
See, I don’t normally have anything bad to say about a book, very rarely do I have a somewhat “negative” review. It’s just, when I was promised a plot line, and then halfway through it fell flat, I will have words to say.
The potential this had. Again, the first half was absolutely gush worthy. With the right amount of unhinged and psychotic. It was beautiful. And then, she lost me. She lost me completely. If it weren’t because I literally only had three chapters left, you bet your asses I would’ve either sped read or DNF’d completely.
I wanted more drama. I wanted more conflict. I just wanted more. And that was not what I got towards the end.
Now for the good stuff. Gimme a an Italian Mafia don who is absolutely obsessed with me and would literally kill for me anytime. And he’s a little unhinged? YES PLEASE! Sebastian was just wicked and delicious in the most disturbed ways. I actually enjoyed just how unhinged and chaotic both characters were. He met his match and didn’t know how to handle it, and it was fucking HILARIOUS!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Okay. Here’s my two cents. Imma be sincere, the first 60% was great, it was alright, then, that last 40%, mmmmmmmm, well. Not really what I was expecting.
See, I don’t normally have anything bad to say about a book, very rarely do I have a somewhat “negative” review. It’s just, when I was promised a plot line, and then halfway through it fell flat, I will have words to say.
The potential this had. Again, the first half was absolutely gush worthy. With the right amount of unhinged and psychotic. It was beautiful. And then, she lost me. She lost me completely. If it weren’t because I literally only had three chapters left, you bet your asses I would’ve either sped read or DNF’d completely.
I wanted more drama. I wanted more conflict. I just wanted more. And that was not what I got towards the end.
Now for the good stuff. Gimme a an Italian Mafia don who is absolutely obsessed with me and would literally kill for me anytime. And he’s a little unhinged? YES PLEASE! Sebastian was just wicked and delicious in the most disturbed ways. I actually enjoyed just how unhinged and chaotic both characters were. He met his match and didn’t know how to handle it, and it was fucking HILARIOUS!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
April 17, 2024
3.5 stars
I wanted to enjoy this and I read it till the end and wonder why.
The basis of the plot is good. The H is great, even if he is a brutal violent person he is head over heels with the h. The dual POV makes us understand him, and ironically despite his violence, he is a “teddy bear” with loving parents and a mature and practical attitude to the h (even if he kidnapped her).
The h on the other hand grated on my nerves. I found the issues with her parents childish, as if the author tried really hard to find something wrong with their relationship. Yeah, it’s not great being neglected, but no abuse and doing the best they could…
The word “whine” was repeatedly used, and either I don’t know the meaning or the author doesn’t, but in the context of a conversation, it’s makes the heroine seem childish and immature (and whinny, which is not a good trait).
So goes for the word “grumble” during sex
I wanted to enjoy this and I read it till the end and wonder why.
The basis of the plot is good. The H is great, even if he is a brutal violent person he is head over heels with the h. The dual POV makes us understand him, and ironically despite his violence, he is a “teddy bear” with loving parents and a mature and practical attitude to the h (even if he kidnapped her).
The h on the other hand grated on my nerves. I found the issues with her parents childish, as if the author tried really hard to find something wrong with their relationship. Yeah, it’s not great being neglected, but no abuse and doing the best they could…
The word “whine” was repeatedly used, and either I don’t know the meaning or the author doesn’t, but in the context of a conversation, it’s makes the heroine seem childish and immature (and whinny, which is not a good trait).
So goes for the word “grumble” during sex
September 18, 2022
First read by this author and I can honestly say I’m glad it’s over. The heroine was extremely childish and annoying I simply couldn’t enjoy Sebastian who could have been an amazing character had he been provided a better plot and supporting characters. I couldn’t enjoy this story and it had promising characteristics. Sadly I didn’t enjoy it and the ending was the worst one yet, definitely skimmed through some parts to get to the end more quickly hoping it would get better but it didn’t.
November 18, 2023
UPDATE: I finished it, and my opinion has not changed. The FMC ruined the story for me. The MMC was great and definitely would have loved more on him. That could have saved the story. But because of how the FMC was, this book only gets a 2 star.
I'm only halfway through this book and I'm struggling. The FMC I swear must be bipolar or have a personality disorder. The amount of times she obsessed over being killed is ridiculous.
I'm only halfway through this book and I'm struggling. The FMC I swear must be bipolar or have a personality disorder. The amount of times she obsessed over being killed is ridiculous.
November 29, 2023
I loved the plot and Bash… I wasn’t a fan of Lainey’s but they worked well together.
I didn’t like how hot and cold Lainey was. It made her character feel fake. I thought she’d start to grow and then she’d take two steps back. Bash had a little bit of that but I could see the character growth with him.
The storyline had a lot of promise and I did enjoy the happenings of Lainey and Bastian’s love story.
Mafia, Italian, Kidnapping, Passion, hot and cold
I didn’t like how hot and cold Lainey was. It made her character feel fake. I thought she’d start to grow and then she’d take two steps back. Bash had a little bit of that but I could see the character growth with him.
The storyline had a lot of promise and I did enjoy the happenings of Lainey and Bastian’s love story.
Mafia, Italian, Kidnapping, Passion, hot and cold
October 17, 2022
Patience is a virtue.
This is a story of a man who wanted his woman. And he gets her. She was attracted to him. Handsome boss of his empire. Mafia. And then dirty talk, interesting foreplay, wordplay, and the passion and desire is intense between this man and woman. He wants to win over to belong only to him.
This is a story of a man who wanted his woman. And he gets her. She was attracted to him. Handsome boss of his empire. Mafia. And then dirty talk, interesting foreplay, wordplay, and the passion and desire is intense between this man and woman. He wants to win over to belong only to him.
January 1, 2026
3.5 Stars
I really liked this book at the beginning. I feel like it ran too long, and a lot of that length was just repeated inner monologue. Most of the story took place within their heads instead of on page or through conversation. It made me bored for most of the second half. Add in the errors (not too many, but often enough to bug me) and I have to round down my 3.5 stars.
I really liked this book at the beginning. I feel like it ran too long, and a lot of that length was just repeated inner monologue. Most of the story took place within their heads instead of on page or through conversation. It made me bored for most of the second half. Add in the errors (not too many, but often enough to bug me) and I have to round down my 3.5 stars.
August 9, 2022
This book had potential to be a better book.
Read
August 30, 2022DNF, I can't, I tried my best, but it's a big fuck up story, and I even finish a book that H & h have sex in front of the dead man 🤦♀️
November 7, 2022
I hate cliffhangers
The story was okay, but I'm not fond of controlling alphas to the point of abuse. Against my will. No thanks.
The story was okay, but I'm not fond of controlling alphas to the point of abuse. Against my will. No thanks.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews